The Somerset Hills Community Health Foundation (SHCHF) is a donor-advised fund established in 2019 at the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ). Its mission is to promote healthier individuals and communities in Morris and Somerset counties through funding projects and programs. The foundation was created from funds raised by the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, which later joined Atlantic Health System to form Atlantic Visiting Nurse. SHCHF's work aligns with the broader goal of improving community health and wellness in its target regions.
The grant program targets organizations serving vulnerable populations, including the underserved and aging population, as well as the general community in need of health and wellness support. The impact goals are to foster independent living, address critical community health needs, and increase the availability of healthcare workers. This multi-faceted approach aims to create healthier, more self-sufficient communities by tackling various determinants of health.
SHCHF's strategic priorities are clearly defined through its three main focus areas. Firstly, it supports innovative programs that foster independent living for underserved and/or aging populations. Secondly, it addresses critical community health and wellness needs, specifically focusing on chronic disease prevention and management, healthy aging, and mental health. Lastly, the foundation aims to increase the number of available healthcare workers by supporting scholarships and training for roles such as nurses, therapists, and home health aides, covering degrees, certifications, and continuing education.
The expected outcomes and measurable results of SHCHF's grants are tied to these priorities. Successful programs should lead to improved independent living for targeted populations, better management and prevention of chronic diseases, enhanced mental health outcomes, and a demonstrable increase in the number of trained and certified healthcare professionals in the community. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in these key areas, it can create a more robust healthcare infrastructure and improve the overall health and well-being of the residents in Morris and Somerset counties.
